GOD TAKES SIDES

READING: EXODUS 14:10-20

Verse 20: “So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other...”

Exodus 13 and 14 describe how God used pillars of cloud and fire to lead the Israelites following their departure from Egypt. As the Egyptian army pursued the people of God, the pillar moved to a position between the Israelites and their pursuers. At that time the cloud caused darkness to the Egyptians on one side, while it gave light to the Israelite camp on the other side. The two sides of the cloud had opposite qualities at the same time. What was beneficial to the Israelites, was made to work against the Egyptians. As people approach the Lord with their desires, His responses are somewhat like that cloud. Those who oppose Him receive one response that is different from those who honor Him. There are verses of scripture that illustrate each. Regarding those who oppose the Lord, Proverbs 10:3 says “...He casts away the desires of the wicked.” They cannot expect to receive favor regarding their desires. Those who respect God will be able to experience Him as in Proverbs 10:24 that says “...the desire of the righteous will be granted.” They will experience His goodness. Every person can get one side or the other. We must all seriously consider whether we will respond in the manner that causes our desires to be cast away, or in the way that causes them to be granted. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What behaviors get the 10:24 response?

2. How can a person change from a 10:3 to a 10:24 response from God?

IT’S STILL THERE!

READING: ISAIAH 51:1-8

Verse 6: “...the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.”

“All good things must come to an end” is a statement that is frequently repeated. From the human point of view, there is much truth in that statement. Good things of the earth have limits on their duration. Many products have expiration dates on them. Through the ages people have longed to defeat this reality. Inventors have labored to create some type of perpetual motion instrument. People have hoped for a fountain of youth. Notwithstanding, the cold, hard, stark reality is that as soon as the things of the earth come into existence; their wearing down and termination begin to be anticipated. The question “How long will it last?” consumes much of our thinking and energies. It is that way in the natural, but drastically different in the supernatural. In our lives in Christ, infinite good things will last forever and will never end! They will always be, just as He will always be. How blessed we are that one of those eternal good things is God’s promise as quoted above. The Lord affirms to us that His salvation will be forever. As we reside in Him, He will never ask the question, “How long will it last?” Through all eternity that question will never occur to us either. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What comes to mind when you consider the eternal nature of God’s salvation?

2. What is another question that the Lord will never ask?

DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW

READING: 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-8

Verse 2: “not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”

Sometimes people catastrophize. Catastrophizing is a manner of worrying that involves three steps. First a person looks into the future and identifies a terrible possibility. Then the person apprehends that possibility from the future, and brings it into the present as their here and now. Finally, that person experiences the trauma of the future possibility as though it were actually occurring. Our Heavenly Father knew that people would catastrophize. Therefore, He made a provision that addresses that through the apostle Paul in the verse above. This verse encourages us to not panic today, because of something that is in the future. There is time for the Lord to prepare us for those things that are to come. Verse 15 of this same chapter gives a good alternative to catastrophizing. It exhorts us to stand fast and hold on to what we have been taught. By standing and holding we avoid pressure from the catastrophic possibilities of the future. Instead of that we can be blessed to have our Savior to comfort our hearts and establish us in every good word and work. We are to live in peace, not catastrophe. That’s a thought – about God’s word.

RESPONSE

1. How much of your present day living is determined by future possibilities?

2. What will your response be if you get positioned to speak with someone who is catastrophizing?

ARE WE THERE YET?

READING: EXODUS 13:17-22

Verse 17: “Then when it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’”

The Lord is so far ahead of us! He constantly provides for our needs by His infinitely excellent foresight and wisdom. Exodus 13 illustrates this fact as it describes the way in which God led the Israelites out of Egypt. He took them around the land of the Philistines to avoid battles that He knew would discourage them and keep them from their destination. On many occasions God still leads His people in their modern day lives, using the very same strategy. As He does so, their experience of what seems to them to be unnecessary indirectness, can be disappointing and even frustrating. These people know the Lord has promised to provide for their needs, and they want Him to do it promptly. At such times the problem of disappointment and frustration is theirs, not His. They have locked onto their own understanding and are failing to appreciate the divine qualities of His Lordship. As Exodus 13 demonstrates, when our loving Lord takes the long way around to get us somewhere, He has good reason for what He is doing. What seems to be the short and direct route may be just that, but it may be the short and direct route to disaster. The winding and circuitous way there, may be the only safe way there. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there current “righteous indirectness” in your life?

2. What disaster might God be causing you to avoid?

ALERT! ALERT!

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:29-34

Verse 33: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’”

There are times when Christians are enticed or tempted to participate in ungodly activities. Frequently the instrument of temptation will be people who do not value godly standards and principles. Associations with such people can begin innocently or even through attempts to evangelize. Somewhere along the way, however, these temptations and enticements can occur. For that reason the warning quoted above has been issued and should be very seriously heeded. It is provided as a strong exhortation so that Believers will not lapse into any false sense of security during interactions with unbelievers. The resulting lowered defenses can admit deceptions that foster sinful behaviors. This warning should not lead us to fear or evade unbelievers, because we are called to minister the gospel to them. Instead, the Apostle Paul wants us to be vigilant and spiritually guarded. As we do interact with those holding other than godly viewpoints, we must do so prayerfully and as led by Holy Spirit wisdom. The Message Version of the Bible puts it this way from Matthew 10:16, “Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Are you called to respond in any way to someone who is “living on the edge” as described above?

2. Is there a place in your life where the Matt 10:16 counsel is needed?

OUT OF THE MOUTH

READING: 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-17

Verse 17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Most people, some more often than others, find themselves at a loss for words. These are times when the right thing to say simply does not come to mind. Sometimes this is caused by a mental lapse. At other times it can be because the situation is strange or uncomfortable. Otherwise the problem can be a lack of comprehension or understanding of the conditions that exist. However, for those who love the Savior, a frequent cause for wordlessness might be our attempts to address the Holy God. What can we say that is worthy of being said to Him? The verse quoted above is certainly not all that is to be said to Almighty God, but it is a good start. From there on, some may have the capacity to express many words of adoration and praise while some others may not. However, whether we are articulate in our speech or not, there is something that is more basic. That fact is that the attitude supporting what is said, is fundamental to the results of what is said. The Bible informs us that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Luke 6:45). Therefore, if the heart attitude of verse 17 above flavors our words, we can be sure what comes forth in our speech will honor the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. If you think about your last conversation, what will it reveal about your heart attitude at that time?

2. What is it that you most frequently say to the Lord?

WE CAN BE GOOD - HE IS THE BEST

READING: MATTHEW 7:7-12

Verse 11: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

Picture in your mind’s eye a child who walks by holding on to furniture for support. With that in mind, can you imagine the following scene? The child releases the coffee table and takes an unsupported step on her own, followed by a second one. After that second step, she falls with a plop. At that point her mother becomes involved. Mom looks at her with a sneer and says “You stupid child – you’ve taken only two steps and you have fallen. You’re never going to learn.” Of course you can’t imagine such a scenario. We know that a parent would say “good girl! You’ve taken your first steps. That is so good! Let me help you go further, you are learning to walk.” We know that toddlers make mistakes in the process of learning life skills, even those so basic as learning to walk. We don’t reject them for not being perfect, and our desire is to encourage and help them. We are patient as they learn. In the same manner, but at the level of His greatness, the Lord knows we stumble and fall in our attempts to walk in godliness. He responds to us with perfected love and understanding of our capabilities and limitations, and with His divine and supernatural aid. If we people can be good to our children, how much more our God is unfailing in His goodness to us. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is the Lord currently helping you to learn?

2. What can you say to a person who “falls with a plop”